The Common Admission Test (CAT) is one of the most challenging exams for aspiring MBA candidates in India. Among the different sections, the Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section plays a crucial role, and arithmetic forms a significant part of it. Mastering arithmetic can not only boost your QA score but also improve your overall CAT performance. In this blog, we will discuss some key arithmetic formulas and tips that can help you solve arithmetic questions efficiently.
1. Percentage
Percentage-based questions are common in CAT. Understanding how to calculate percentage increases, decreases, and comparisons is essential.
Formula for Percentage:
Percentage Increase:
Percentage Decrease:
2. Profit, Loss, and Discount
Profit and loss problems often involve calculating the selling price, cost price, and percentage profit or loss. Discounts are usually calculated on marked prices.
Profit Percentage:
Loss Percentage:
Discount Percentage:
3. Simple and Compound Interest
Interest-related problems can appear tricky, but with the right formulas, they become manageable.
Simple Interest (SI):
where P is the principal, R is the rate of interest, and T is the time in years.
Compound Interest (CI):
4. Ratio and Proportion
Questions on ratios and proportions are frequently seen in the CAT exam. They usually test your ability to compare quantities and solve equations.
Ratio Formula:
Proportion:
a : b = c : d (Product of extremes = Product of means) ⇒ ad = bc
5. Time, Speed, and Distance
These questions often involve the relationships between time, speed, and distance.
Speed:
Speed = Distance/Time
Distance:
Distance = Speed x Time
Time:
Time = Distance/Speed
6. Time and Work
Questions on time and work require a good grasp of efficiency and collaboration.
Work Formula:
Work = Rate of Work x Time
If A can complete a task in 10 days, then A’s work rate is 1/10 of the task per day. If A and B work together, their combined rate is the sum of their individual rates.
Tips for Solving Arithmetic Questions
- Focus on Basics: Start by revisiting the basics of arithmetic and understand how formulas are derived. This ensures that you can modify formulas as needed during the exam.
- Practice Mental Calculations: Arithmetic problems in CAT often test speed and accuracy. Practice mental calculations to save time during the exam.
- Break Down Problems: Large or complicated problems can often be broken down into smaller, more manageable parts. Identify patterns and tackle each part systematically.
- Use Approximations: In some cases, approximations can help you arrive at the right answer quickly, especially in percentage and profit-loss questions. However, use this only when applicable.
- Time Management: Set time limits for practicing arithmetic problems. Solving under time constraints can mimic exam conditions and help you manage your time better during the actual test.
- Understand the Question’s Requirement: Many arithmetic questions in CAT are framed in a tricky manner. Read the question thoroughly to understand what is being asked before jumping to solve.
Arithmetic is a critical part of the CAT Quantitative Aptitude section, and mastering key formulas and problem-solving techniques will give you a significant advantage. Regular practice, combined with strategic use of shortcuts and time management, will help you tackle arithmetic questions with confidence.
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